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The Joseph Fletcher.

the Joseph Fletcher, a small clipper barque of 672 tons, built by Fletcher, of Limehouse, was one of the earliest vessels to arrive in Auckland. For her size she made more than average passages, and brought out a large number of our early settlers. On two occasions the Joseph Fletcher called first at New Plymouth with passengers and cargo. In 1853 she arrived at New Plymouth on August 17, making the passage in 89 days. While lying at anchor in the roadstead a heavy gale came on and forced Captain Foster to put to sea before he could regain possession of the ship's papers from the Customs. After waiting in vain for three days without being able to return to the roadstead, he decided to sail for Auckland, and arrived at that port on September 30, 1853.

On the voyage out to Auckland in 1858 the Joseph Fletcher experienced a rough time in the Bay of Biscay. She was detained there for eight days during very severe south-west gales. Nevertheless the passage to the Three Kings was made in the good time of 97 days.

The passages made to New Zealand were:—

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